Town hall goes on without Sen. Ron Johnson

As a speaker talks about the need for affordable health-care during a town hall in Green Bay Feb. 23, audience members signify their support.(Photo: Doug Schneider/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

GREEN BAY - As a cancer survivor, Robert Purvis of Coleman has strong feeling about health care system that he wants to share with U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson.

"There is profit being taken at every step of our health care delivery system," Purvis said at a town hall in Green Bay Thursday. He called on the senator to support a single-payer-style system, saying, "We are making people rich with the dollars that we are forced to spend for our health care."

Dozens of Johnson's constituents paraded to microphones in the library of the Brown County Central Library's auditorium Thursday, hoping their concerns will be heard in Washington.

Speakers came from as far as an hour away to pose questions about topics including immigration, affordable care, climate change and President Donald Trump.

About 300 people attended, though Johnson didn't. The Oshkosh Republican was invited, though staffers said in advance he could not attend. Organizers recorded the event and accepted written questions; they say they'll share those with the senator.

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Sen. Ron Johnson.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

"We're taking the role of citizens and representees seriously, and taking a role in our great American democracy," said Sumner Truax, a Lawrence University music instructor who helped organize the event. "The reality is that Congress works for us … When (Johnson) writes laws and when he votes on laws, we hope he is (doing so) with all his constituents in mind."

A similar town hall was held Wednesday in Madison without Johnson. The senator held an electronic town hall this past week, taking questions from people who called in by telephone.

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Constituents line up to pose questions for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson at a Green Bay towh hall on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.(Photo: Doug Schneider/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

In contrast to some acrimonious town halls that have taken place in other states recently, participants Thursday were generally positive, save for a few catcalls when mention was made that Johnson wasn't there. Participants were urged to use preprinted "Agree" signs when they supported a speaker, and to be silent when they did not, but applause broke out a number of times, particularly when speakers mentioned the Affordable Care Act, the health insurance law adopted under President Barack Obama.

Organizers allowed everyone who wanted to speak. A number said outside the meeting that they identified as Democrats as Progressives; none identified as a Republican.

Several speakers made a point of speaking to Johnson's empty chair, which was equipped with a microphone and a name placard. But while they were polite, several made no secret of their opposition to positions that Republicans have taken on issues like health care and climate change.

"Ron Johnson and (U.S. Rep.) Paul Ryan and the Republicans are hell bent on taking the Affordable Care Act away," said Jenny Neary, an Oshkosh resident whose son has lymphoma. "Well, where is the replacement?"

GOP leaders say they plan to repeal the ACA — commonly known as Obamacare — and replace it with a program they say will better serve the nation. Specifics of the proposed replacement, though, have not been spelled out.

Neary was one of a number of scheduled speakers who combined to speak for the first 75 minutes of the program. The general public then got to pose questions for about 45 minutes.

A sampling of their remarks:

» Shannon Davis-Faust of Omro, who teaches environmental science at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: "Will you support the funding of unbiased science?"

» Daniel Dillon of Marion, who survived a farm accident: "I want assurances from you, sir, that people like me won't be left behind" in the health care market.

» Julie Cox of Wautoma questioned the cost of the president's trips to his south Florida resort: "Why is the government spending millions for Trump, his family and staff to stay at Mar-a-Lago?"

» Gary Prost of Appleton made a reference to a Trump campaign slogan, but added a twist: "Make America great again — with a bipartisan Congress that works together."

A comment by Barbara Alvarez of Kohler drew some of the loudest applause of the night: "What standards will you hold President Trump to," she asked, "to ensure our national security?"

dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider